Where Creativity Becomes Career Readiness: Inside the STEP Student Experience

The bridge between what students learn in the classroom and what they’ll need in the real world can feel wide. PSI’s Student Entrepreneur Program (STEP) was designed to close that gap by helping students turn creativity into capability and classroom projects into career preparation.

In many schools across the country, STEP students are transforming what “hands-on learning” really means. They’re running print shops, managing real clients, and designing materials that serve their schools and communities, all powered by PSI’s ecolor+ poster printers.

One of the most inspiring examples comes from Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13’s School-to-Work program, where students are running their own business, Vibrant Prints.

A Real-World Business, Run by Students

At Lebanon Valley College, Vibrant Prints began as an idea: what if students could operate their own design and printing business right inside the classroom?

Today, that idea is a thriving enterprise. Students use PSI’s ecolor+ poster printer to design and produce posters, banners, and signage for their school and local community partners. They don’t just design; they promote, sell, and manage the business from end to end.

As Amelia, the Lead Student Manager, explains:

“I have been working with Vibrant Prints this school year, operating and managing the ecolor+ poster printer. I’ve helped train my coworkers, attended bazaars to promote our business, and developed designs that showcase our capabilities.”

Her experience is proof that when students are given ownership and purpose, they rise to the challenge. What started as a classroom project has become a small business that blends entrepreneurship, design, and teamwork, all while serving real customers.

The STEP Experience: Where Learning Meets Leadership

The Vibrant Prints story is a snapshot of what makes the STEP program so powerful. STEP isn’t just about printing posters. It’s about empowering students to build the skills that help them thrive beyond school.

Through the program, students gain:

• Design and Technology Skills – Using tools like Canva and PosterArtist, students learn how to create polished, professional materials.

• Entrepreneurial Thinking – From creating invoices to tracking orders, students practice financial literacy and business management.

• Collaboration and Leadership – Students work as a team to fill roles, solve problems, and meet deadlines, just like in a real workplace.

PSI’s ecolor+ poster printer provides students with opportunities to use technology, practice financial literacy, and embrace creativity. That combination of structure and imagination is what makes STEP so transformative.

From Posters to Portfolios: Building Career-Ready Skills

The true impact of STEP extends far beyond what’s printed. Students like Amelia aren’t just learning how to operate equipment. They’re learning how to think like entrepreneurs and communicate like professionals.

Every project becomes part of their story:

• A banner for a local event becomes an example of client communication.

• A product launch teaches marketing and collaboration.

• A custom poster design demonstrates both creativity and craftsmanship.

Research supports the value of this kind of authentic learning. According to Edutopia, project-based experiences help students “develop agency, responsibility, and the ability to apply learning in complex, real-world contexts.” STEP embodies that idea, and students learn by doing and seeing the impact of their work in their schools and communities.

These experiences prepare them for whatever comes next: college, career, or even starting their own businesses.

The Ripple Effect of Real-World Learning

Programs like Vibrant Prints don’t just benefit students; they strengthen entire school communities. Teachers report more engagement, administrators see stronger school culture, and local partners get to collaborate with student entrepreneurs who take pride in their work.

Every print, every project, and every order completed reinforces the value of connecting creativity to purpose. It’s this kind of real-world experience that inspires PSI to continue growing and refining STEP, so more schools can share in the same success.

Learn How to Bring STEP to Your Students

The newly expanded STEP program includes five ready-to-use curricula, written by real educators and designed to work in any setting, from middle school classrooms to high school business labs and after-school clubs.

Each model includes everything schools need to get started: lesson plans, visuals, templates, and ongoing support from PSI’s dedicated team.

Because when creativity meets career readiness, students don’t just learn, they lead.

👉 Learn How to Bring STEP to Your Students

About Presentation Systems, Inc.

At Presentation Systems, Inc. (PSI), we believe that creativity has the power to transform learning. Since 1989, we’ve helped schools and organizations bring ideas to life through high-quality ecolor+ poster printers, innovative tools, and hands-on programs like STEP (Student Entrepreneur Program). From classroom visuals to student-run businesses, PSI is proud to support educators and students as they design, create, and grow together.

👉 Learn more at www.presentationsys.com